In May 2011, the Town of Garner took a big economic hit when ConAgra closed its plant.
But before it left town, ConAgra donated $2.5 million to the town along with the plant and 108 acres surrounding the facility.
Now, the town is hoping to get a hi-tech or life sciences company to relocate to Garner using that site.
The town revealed its initial concept for the site Wednesday evening, and asked the public to comment.
"It gives hope, it gives enthusiasm and helps us put the past behind us and move toward the future," declared Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams.
Those marketing the property believe economics will play a big role in enticing a firm to the site.
Unlike in RTP, where the cost of land is very expensive, the Garner site is publicly owned and the land is relatively inexpensive to buy.
"It has all the utilities and services right to the site, so there's no additional cost involved in serving the property," explained Ken Atkins, the executive director of Wake County Economic Development.
Atkins added, "It has something most sites don't have: a pre-treatment facility that can be used by bio-technology and life sciences companies."
Officials, however, say it could take close to two years for a company to relocate and open a facility there, and that’s frustrating to some.
"I thought this would be a rush thing," said former ConAgra employee Annie Williams.
She worked 18 years as a packer at the plant and has already started re-training because she hasn't found work since it shut down.
"I've gotten into a couple of classes at school and am trying to get educated on other things -- other jobs," Williams said.
In 2009, the facility was ravaged by a fatal explosion that killed four people. Lewis Junior Watson was one of the four who died in the explosion at the plant and his widow believes whoever builds at the site needs to acknowledge that.
"When they do the developing that they make sure they have a memorial place for the ones that did lose their lives," Terri Watson said.
The goal is to have a facility that will employ at least 440 people and pay salaries starting around $46,000 to $48,000 per year.
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